Renewed participation in Operation Atalanta will complement and strengthen Sweden's commitment in Somalia. This operation also provides clear and required support to UN activities.
"It is particularly important that the operation can continue to help humanitarian assistance from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reach mainland Somalia. If pirates hinder this help from reaching Somalia by sea, there is a risk of considerable humanitarian consequences," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
"The fact that Sweden has been asked to assume command responsibility is a strong vote of confidence, which also reflects our desire to take responsibility for EU crisis management," says Mr Bildt.
This presence is also seen to make it easier for merchant shipping in the area, including vessels that fly the Swedish flag and that sail in the area.
Sweden will also contribute one of the Swedish Coast Guard's maritime surveillance aircraft. This kind of contribution is very much in demand, as there has, at times, been a shortage of this kind of aircraft within the operation.
Contact
Anders Jörle
Head of the Press Service
work +46 8 405 57 27
cell +46 70 888 36 24
email to Anders Jörle
Source: Government of Sweden